Imrahil
Encyclopedia
Imrahil is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
's Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of the majority of author J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place entirely in Middle-earth, as does much of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales....
legendarium
Legendarium
Legendary may refer to:*A hagiography, or study of the lives of saints and other religious figures**The South English Legendary, a Middle English legendary*A legend-Entertainment:*Legendary, an album by Kaysha*Legendary...
. He is introduced in Return of the King as the twenty-second Prince of Dol Amroth
Dol Amroth
In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, Dol Amroth was a hill along the coast of Gondor, on a peninsula on the Bay of Belfalas; and also the city that grew up there, mainly in the Third Age as the seat of the principality of the same name. The Prince of Dol Amroth was one of the principal subjects of...
.
Biography
Imrahil, son of Prince Adrahil II, was born in year 2955 of the Third AgeThird Age
The Third Age is a time period from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fantasy writings. The history of Middle-earth is to be taken fictionally as a history of the real Earth....
. He had two older sisters. The eldest was Ivriniel (born T.A.
Third Age
The Third Age is a time period from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fantasy writings. The history of Middle-earth is to be taken fictionally as a history of the real Earth....
2947) and the next eldest was Finduilas
Finduilas of Dol Amroth
In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Finduilas was the sister of Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth.-Character history:Named after Finduilas, an Elf-maiden of the First Age, Finduilas of Dol Amroth was the daughter of Prince Adrahil II, and had an older sister Ivriniel in addition to her brother...
. According to one version of Tolkien's legendarium
Legendarium
Legendary may refer to:*A hagiography, or study of the lives of saints and other religious figures**The South English Legendary, a Middle English legendary*A legend-Entertainment:*Legendary, an album by Kaysha*Legendary...
, Imrahil is descended from the Númenorean
Númenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
Imrazôr and a Silvan Elf
Silvan Elves
Silvan Elves are an ethnic group of Elves in J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, mainly the Elves of Mirkwood and Lothlórien.In the First Age the Elves of Ossiriand, or Laiquendi, were also referred to as wood-elves....
named Mithrellas. This would make Imrahil and his line part-Elvish. Whether this account in true or merely a legend within Middle-earth is unknown, though usually only three pairings
Half-elven
In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, the Half-elven are the children of the union of Elves and Men. The Half-elven are not a distinct race from Elves and Men, and must ultimately choose to which race they belong...
of Elves
Elf (Middle-earth)
In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, Elves are one of the races that inhabit a fictional Earth, often called Middle-earth, and set in the remote past. They appear in The Hobbit and in The Lord of the Rings, but their complex history is described more fully in The Silmarillion...
and Men
Man (Middle-earth)
The race of Men in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth books, such as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, refers to humanity and does not denote gender...
are referenced in Tolkien's writings. When Legolas
Legolas
Legolas is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, featured in The Lord of the Rings. He is an Elf of the Woodland Realm and one of nine members of the Fellowship of the Ring.- Literature :...
meets Imrahil he tells him that he has the look of one with elvish blood, confirming his elvish ancestry.
During the War of the Ring
War of the Ring
In the fictional high fantasy-world of J. R. R. Tolkien, the War of the Ring was fought between Sauron and the free peoples of Middle-earth for control of the One Ring and dominion over the continent. The War of the Ring took place at the end of the Third Age. Together with the Quest of Mount Doom,...
, Prince Imrahil led a company of Swan Knights and 700 men at arms to Minas Tirith
Minas Tirith
Minas Tirith , originally named Minas Anor, is a fictional city and castle in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth writings. It became the heavily fortified capital of Gondor in the second half of the Third Age...
to help defend the City. Prince Imrahil led the sortie that rode to the aid of Faramir
Faramir
In J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, Faramir is a fictional character appearing in The Lord of the Rings. He is introduced as the younger brother of Boromir of the Fellowship of the Ring and second son of Denethor II, the Steward of the realm of Gondor...
and the rearguard retreating from Osgiliath. During the siege of Minas Tirith he assisted Gandalf
Gandalf
Gandalf is a character in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In these stories, Gandalf appears as a wizard, member and later the head of the order known as the Istari, as well as leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and the army of the West...
in leading the city's defence. Imrahil was the first to notice that Éowyn
Éowyn
Éowyn is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, who appears in his most famous work, The Lord of the Rings. She is a noblewoman of Rohan who describes herself as a "shieldmaiden".-Literature:...
of Rohan
Rohan
Rohan is a realm in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy era of Middle-earth. It is a grassland which lies north of its ally Gondor and north-west of Mordor, the realm of Sauron, their enemy . It is inhabited by the Rohirrim, a people of herdsmen and farmers who are well-known for their horses and cavalry....
had not been slain in the battle and he sent to the City for help. Soon after, Éomer
Éomer
Éomer is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. He appears in The Two Towers and The Return of the King, the second and third volumes of Tolkien's fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings....
and his Riders were outnumbered, and Imrahil rode to their aid.
After the Battle of the Pelennor Fields
Battle of the Pelennor Fields
In J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy fiction, the Battle of Pelennor Fields is the battle for the city of Minas Tirith between the forces of Gondor and its allies, and the forces of the Dark Lord Sauron...
Imrahil recognized that Aragorn
Aragorn
Aragorn II is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, one of the main protagonists of The Lord of the Rings. He is first introduced by the name Strider, which the hobbits continue to call him...
was the rightful King of Gondor
Gondor
Gondor is a fictional kingdom in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings, described as the greatest realm of Men in the west of Middle-earth by the end of the Third Age. The third volume of The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, is concerned with the events in Gondor during the War of the Ring and with...
, but he agreed that it was wise for Aragorn to wait to enter the city, because his brother-in-law Denethor
Denethor
Denethor II of the House of Húrin is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Return of the King, which is the third and final part of his novel The Lord of the Rings. In the novel, he is the 26th and penultimate ruling Steward of Gondor....
was strong-willed and proud. When Imrahil learned that Denethor was dead and Faramir dying, he suggested that Aragorn be summoned, remembering that the Kings of old were great healers. Though he entered the city as a healer Aragorn did not wish to contest the kingship during the war and Imrahil ruled Minas Tirith in the days after the siege had ended.
Imrahil and his knights marched with the Captains of the North to attack Mordor
Mordor
In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, Mordor or Morhdorh was the dwelling place of Sauron, in the southeast of northwestern Middle-earth to the East of Anduin, the great river. Orodruin, a volcano in Mordor, was the destination of the Fellowship of the Ring in the quest to...
, but was concerned that the city should not be left unprotected while they were on campaign and ensured a large force was left behind to protect it. During the march toward Mordor the heralds of the army announced the coming of King Elessar at Imrahil's suggestion. When Sauron
Sauron
Sauron is the primary antagonist and titular character of the epic fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.In the same work, he is revealed to be the same character as "the Necromancer" from Tolkien's earlier novel The Hobbit...
's forces emerged from the Black Gate, Imrahil stood on the front line with his men in the Battle of the Morannon
Battle of the Morannon
In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, the Battle of the Morannon or Battle of the Black Gate is a fictional event that took place at the end of the War of the Ring...
.
Prince Imrahil was present at the celebrations of the field of Cormallen, and the coronation of Aragorn as King Elessar, and rode with the funeral procession of King Théoden
Théoden
Théoden is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings. He appears as a major supporting character in The Two Towers and The Return of the King.-Appearances:...
to Rohan, remaining in Edoras after the King's burial. Imrahil and Éomer became great friends, and in Éomer wed Imrahil's daughter Lothíriel
Lothíriel
Lothíriel is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, appearing in The Peoples of Middle-earth.-Biography:Lothíriel was the Princess of Dol Amroth and wife of King Éomer of Rohan. Lothíriel was the daughter of Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth; her mother's name is not known. Lothíriel...
.
After the War of the Ring, Prince Imrahil and his nephew Faramir
Faramir
In J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, Faramir is a fictional character appearing in The Lord of the Rings. He is introduced as the younger brother of Boromir of the Fellowship of the Ring and second son of Denethor II, the Steward of the realm of Gondor...
, Steward of Gondor, were King Elessar's chief commanders. Imrahil was also part of the Great Council of Gondor, and remained an advisor of the King.
Prince Imrahil died in the year , and was succeeded by his eldest son Elphir, who continued the line of Princes.
Portrayal in adaptations
Imrahil appeared neither in the animated film adaptation of The Return of the King by Rankin/Bass, nor in Peter Jackson's film trilogy. Jackson explained in a DVD commentary that Imrahil appeared in earlier drafts but was stricken as it was too difficult to introduce another new character so late in the narrative. Jackson joked that Imrahil could have been filled as a cameo role by Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
. In the Decipher Trading Card game based on the movies the Gondorian captain Irolas who was created for the movies is instead credited as being Imrahil.
House of Dol Amroth
Adrahil
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DenethorDenethorDenethor II of the House of Húrin is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Return of the King, which is the third and final part of his novel The Lord of the Rings. In the novel, he is the 26th and penultimate ruling Steward of Gondor....
= FinduilasFinduilas of Dol AmrothIn the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Finduilas was the sister of Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth.-Character history:Named after Finduilas, an Elf-maiden of the First Age, Finduilas of Dol Amroth was the daughter of Prince Adrahil II, and had an older sister Ivriniel in addition to her brother...
Imrahil
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BoromirBoromirBoromir is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. He appears in the first two volumes of The Lord of the Rings , and is mentioned in the last volume, The Return of the King....
FaramirFaramirIn J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, Faramir is a fictional character appearing in The Lord of the Rings. He is introduced as the younger brother of Boromir of the Fellowship of the Ring and second son of Denethor II, the Steward of the realm of Gondor...
Elphir Erchirion Amrothos LothírielLothírielLothíriel is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, appearing in The Peoples of Middle-earth.-Biography:Lothíriel was the Princess of Dol Amroth and wife of King Éomer of Rohan. Lothíriel was the daughter of Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth; her mother's name is not known. Lothíriel...
= ÉomerÉomerÉomer is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. He appears in The Two Towers and The Return of the King, the second and third volumes of Tolkien's fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings....